Nigerian military high command Wednesday ruled out engaging militants sabotaging oil production facilities in the Niger Delta, saying it would rather deploy "every available resources to deal decisively" with the militants.
Recent attacks on Nigeria's oil facilities by Niger Delta militants have caused Nigerian production to fall by 12% to around 1.67 million b/d at the end of April, according to S&P Global Platts OPEC survey data.
Foreign oil firms operating in the Niger Delta have also started evacuating some of their workers to reduce the risk to their lives.
"The military will employ all available means and measures within its Rule of Engagement to crush any individual or group that engages in the destruction of strategic assets and facilities of the government in the Niger Delta [and] they will stand to regret the consequences of their actions," military spokesman Rabe Abubakar said in a statement.
"The whole world has seen what they [militants] are causing in terms of economic terrorism against the nation and would be treated as criminals in line with the laws of the land."
Violence in Nigeria's vast southern oil patch had subsided after a 2009 government amnesty to militants halted a spate of attacks on oil installations.
The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, which has already cut funds for the amnesty program, said it would end next year.
The militants, who call themselves the Niger Delta Avengers, have renewed demands for control of the region's oil.
The Nigerian Navy said late Tuesday it had destroyed two illegal oil refineries located in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
The refineries had seven storage tanks containing about 10,000 liters (67 barrels) of stolen crude oil, the navy said in a statement.
